Creating Facets of Faith Through Detachment

Christie Walker shows how God, as our Master diamond cutter, creates facets of faith through our detachment and sacrifice enabling us to shine Christ’s light into the world.

My husband and I learned a lot about detachment early in our marriage. It took us longer to conceive a child than we had hoped, but after years of trying, we learned that God's timing is always perfect — and we were blessed with twins! 

I always wanted to be home with my children — and after the babies were born, my husband agreed that I would quit my work in the jewelry industry (which I loved) and stay home with our boys (which I loved even more) — but that meant we lost half of our income because, at the time, I was making the same amount as my husband.  

This decision meant we had to give up many of the luxuries we had become accustomed to as a dual-income household without children.  

Things were okay initially, but after a big recession hit and my husband's hours were cut dramatically, money was exceptionally tight for our little family. We had to pare down — a lot! 

That meant bye-bye cable, no eating out, and having to meal plan and budget — yuck! And yes, coupon clipping. The extreme couponing era was in full swing, and yes, I had a binder FULL of coupons.  

We often lamented all we didn't have. It wasn't easy, but looking back, there was a lot of joy, too. How can you not smile a million times a day with two rosy-cheeked twin toddlers being their adorable little selves? 

During those years, I learned that it was worth letting go of financial security and the things we thought we had to have and trusting that we were making the best decision for our family. 

Letting go of the things that aren't serving us or not meant for us will allow God to grind away the excess from our lives and create facets that enable our faith to reflect Christ's light and love into the world.  

Thanks to my jewelry background, I believe the process of diamond cutting is a beautiful metaphor for the Christian life, particularly when considering God as the Master Diamond Cutter. He shapes our faith using our sacrifices, suffering, humility, and surrender.  

Let's view each step in the diamond-cutting process through a Christian lens: 

Planning and Cleaving

Just as a master diamond cutter carefully plans and cleaves rough diamonds to bring out their inner beauty, God, as the Master Diamond Cutter, uses our life experiences, both joyous and challenging, to shape and mold us into vessels that reflect His love and grace.  

Sawing

When we face trials and hardships, it can feel like we are being "sawn" or cut down. However, when we submit to God's will, He uses these difficult times to refine our character, cutting away the impurities and shaping us into individuals who can shine His light more brightly. 

Bruting the girdle

Moments of humility and surrender allow God to round and shape our hearts and spirits gently. By being willing to detach, we become more aligned with His purpose and capable of reflecting His love and compassion. 

Polishing

God continuously refines and polishes our faith through experiences, prayer, and spiritual growth. Our hearts and minds become more reflective of His light, allowing us to shine with the radiance of Christ's love to those around us. 

Inspection and Grading

Through moments of self-examination, confession, and accountability, we allow God to inspect and grade the quality of our faith. As we seek His forgiveness and guidance, we grow in spiritual maturity, becoming more aligned with His will and purpose for our lives. 

Final Touches and Setting

This final step symbolizes God's ongoing work in our lives, adding the finishing touches to our faith and setting us in positions to shine His light into the world. Through our surrender and obedience, we become instruments that lead others to Christ. It is a continual process throughout our earthly lives. 

In this light, the analogy of diamond cutting beautifully illustrates how God, as the Master Diamond Cutter, uses our sacrifices, suffering, humility, and surrender to fashion our faith into sparkling diamonds that radiate the light of Christ into the world, drawing souls to Him.  

Following the Lord's promptings, those financially trying years led me to what I am doing today. I had to be willing to let go of the work I loved to do and accept the financial sacrifices that came with that decision. Our family gained so much because of letting go. 

We never have to stay stuck or feel like we are failing because detachment is a lifelong process. Sometimes, we surrender willingly and joyfully — and sometimes, we don't have any other choice.  

Either way, God uses it all! 

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Copyright 2024 Christie Walker
Images: Canva